Two sisters graduate with their father at BCCC's 65th commencement

6/13/2014, 6 a.m.

Baltimore City Community College graduates Jennah Abdul-Aziz (left) and her sister, Hajr (right) with fellow graduate— and Dad!— Muhammad Abdul-Aziz after receiving their associate degrees at BCCC’s 65th Commencement, Saturday, June 7, 2014 at the Patricia and Arthur Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric.
(Photo: D’Andre Winder)

As Baltimore City Community College rolled out the red carpet for its 65th Commencement on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at the Patricia and Arthur Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric, Jennah Abdul-Aziz and her sister, Hajr Abdul-Aziz, received associate degrees with honors after being home-schooled and blazing through college, participating in the Granville T. Woods Scholars Program at Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) leaving their mark on student clubs and organizations across campus.

Not to be left out of the fun, their father, 47-year-old Muhammad Abdul-Aziz, took to the stage for his associate degree as well: in Construction Supervision. He came to the realization a few years back that this would be the ideal way to sharpen his construction business, which he established over 20 years ago.

“My mother made the decision to home-school all six of her children," said Jennah. "She taught us everything we needed to know, especially English; my father made sure we got the math."

Jennah began studying at BCCC at the age of 14 while still an eighth-grader. Hajr, at 15, was hardly any older when she started her own academic journey here. Both found successful school and career possibilities at BCCC, on their own with a little help from their newfound community and its ample student life resources. Jennah will go into Early Childhood Education. She has always loved children. She will receive a BCCC associate degree in General Studies and finish out her bachelor's degree at Towson University. Hajr, who has always had a knack for helping people, will receive a General Studies associate degree as well. She is interested in pursuing Psychiatric Nursing.